Kouba Wins UMSS Feature Saturday at Cedar Lake

Posted on April 9, 2017

By Greg Parent

Just as Cam Schafer had done the night before, Jake Kouba picked up his second career Cedar Lake Speedway victory on the second night of the opening weekend in the UMSS Traditional Sprint Car division. Kouba started on the pole alongside his dad Jimmy, and immediately drove to a comfortable lead. The race was slowed once under caution with eight laps to go, but Jake’s family-owned #6 sprinter was just too strong as he went on to record his fourth over all Traditional Sprint Car Series win in dominating fashion. Upon exiting his car in Rock Auto Victory Lane, Jake raised both arms skyward in a “traditional” victory salute to cap off his feature win. Jake also won his heat race and finished third in the Dash for Cash.

The car count on Saturday night increased by three with 17 Traditional sprints signed into the CLS pits on a mostly overcast but warm early spring evening. In addition to Jake Kouba, Mike Mueller also won a 10-lap heat race. The top four drivers in passing and finishing points after the heats redrew for their starting positions in the first two rows of the feature. The redraw would see an all-Kouba front row with Johnny Parsons III and Mueller going from row two in the 25-lap main event.

The first of several Dash for Cash races to be held at various events during the season was also on tap this evening. The top three finishers in each heat race redrew for starting spots in the dash. From the outside front row, Mike Mueller led all six laps for the $150 dash win. The race was sponsored, but the sponsor elected to remain anonymous. Parsons finished second and earned $100 for his effort. The remaining four cars split the rest of the dash purse evenly.

The Traditional sprints will return to the Cedar Lake Speedway next Saturday April 15. After the doubleheader opening weekend, Jake Kouba took an early lead in the series point standings. A few more cars are expected to be ready in the upcoming weeks, as the 28 race season is officially underway with two different drivers winning in this competitive non-winged class of sprint cars on opening weekend. Keep tabs on all of the UMSS Traditional sprint action by visiting our website at www.umsprints.com and clicking on the blue logo or by following us on Facebook.